Breeder Recognition Pathway

The Crown & Collar Institute™ Breeder Recognition Pathway is designed for breeders who are working toward higher standards in health documentation, ethical breeding practices, puppy development, education, mentorship, and long-term breed stewardship.

Breeders may move through different stages of review as they prepare documentation, complete health testing, demonstrate puppy-development practices, participate in education, and align with Crown & Collar Institute™ standards.

BRAIN FIRST™ QUALIFICATION

Brain First™ Qualification

Brain First™ is a professional philosophy and designation system — not an award or honorary title. Learn what Brain First™ is.

Crown & Collar Institute™ recognizes that lifelong canine success depends on more than genetics, health testing, or responsible breeding. A dog’s development, environment, behavior, and family education must also be considered.

For Silver Recognition and higher, the Brain First™ qualification may be fulfilled in any of the following ways:

Breeder Partnership

A breeder may partner with a qualified Brain First™ behaviorist or other approved Brain First™ professional who supports the breeder’s dogs, puppies, families, and developmental program.

Individual Dog Qualification

A person applying for recognition for an individual dog or a proposed Crown Pairing™ may work directly with a qualified Brain First™ behaviorist or approved Brain First™ professional, even when the breeder is not participating in the Brain First™ program.

Qualified Applicant

A breeder, dog owner, handler, trainer, or behaviorist who personally holds the required Brain First™ qualification may fulfill the requirement directly, without forming a separate partnership.

The qualification belongs to the recognition pathway being evaluated. It does not require every breeder connected to a dog’s pedigree to participate.

This allows Crown & Collar recognition to work fairly for:

recognized breeders and breeding programs
individual dogs
proposed breeding pairs
dog owners and handlers
dogs from breeders who are not Crown & Collar or Brain First participants

Learn About Brain First™ Qualifications

STAGES

Recognition Stages

STAGE · 01

Interested Breeder

For breeders who are learning about Crown & Collar Institute™ standards and deciding whether the pathway is a good fit.

STAGE · 02

Applicant Breeder

For breeders who have submitted interest or application materials for review.

STAGE · 03

Breeder in Review

For breeders whose documentation, goals, health testing, puppy-development practices, and program structure are being evaluated.

STAGE · 04

Recognized Breeder

For breeders who have met appropriate requirements for a Crown & Collar Institute™ recognition level.

STAGE · 05

Award Recipient

For breeders who have earned specific Crown & Collar Institute™ awards based on documented excellence, education, mentorship, preservation efforts, philanthropy, puppy development, or long-term breed stewardship.

AWARDS

Awards May Recognize

Health Testing & Documentation

Puppy Development

Mentorship & Education

Preservation & Stewardship

Philanthropy & Community Support

Professional Growth

Transparency & Accountability

Long-Term Puppy Family Support

Crown & Collar Institute™ recognition, review status, or awards do not replace veterinary care, legal advice, registry requirements, buyer responsibility, or independent credential verification. Recognition does not guarantee puppy health, temperament, placement outcome, breeding outcome, or legal status. Breeders and families are responsible for reviewing fit, documentation, contracts, health testing, and expectations carefully.

Ready to begin?

Breeders may submit interest for review through the Crown & Collar Institute™ Breeder Review pathway.

Apply for Breeder Review (Form Coming Soon)